BANGOR, Maine — The National Weather Service’s Caribou office had issued a severe thunderstorm warning for northern Aroostook and Piscataquis counties and Somerset County effective until 5:15 p.m. Thursday.
People in the area are urged to take cover, the weather service said, adding that those affected should move to an interior room on the lowest floor of buildings they are in.
Forecasters said that severe thunderstorms were located along a line extending from 26 miles north of Madawaska to 14 miles west of Seboomook and were moving southeast at 45 mph.
Quarter-sized hail and winds of up to 60 mph are possible, forecasters said. They warned that the affected areas could expect damage to roofs and siding and trees.
Torrential rainfall is occurring with these storms that may lead to flash flooding, the weather service said. Motorists are urged not to drive through flooded roadways.
Affected locations include Fort Kent, Madawaska, Van Buren, Eagle Lake, Allagash, Deboullie Mountain, Clayton Lake Baxter State Park, Portage Lake, Chamberlain Lake, Nine-Mile Bridge, Chesuncook and Churchill Dam.
Forecasters said that the rest of the state — including Bangor — can expect scattered showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 5 p.m. The chance of precipitation is 30 percent, forecasters said.
Some of the storms could produce gusty winds and heavy rain. Otherwise, the weather is expected to be partly sunny, with a high near 85.
Patchy fog and mostly cloudy weather are forecast for after 8 p.m. on Thursday, with a 60 percent chance of rain.
Watch bangordailynews.com for updates.